Invited by the University of Chicago and Duke University, Wuhan University Vice President Yuan Yufeng led a delegation to the United States from November 12 to 17 to enhance and deepen friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with these universities.

Wuhan University and the University of Chicago sign a new round of cooperation agreement on medical education reform.

From November 12 to 13, the delegation visited the University of Chicago, where they held more than ten working meetings with relevant departments and personnel to advance cooperation in the field of medicine and expand exchanges and collaboration in undergraduate education between both universities. During this time, Yuan Yufeng, executive vice president of Wuhan University and Mark Anderson, dean of the Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago, renewed the cooperation agreement on medical education reform between the two universities. Yuan Yufeng said that the signing of the cooperation agreement will continue to promote the deepening of the partnership between the two universities in medical education reform, faculty training, research collaboration, residency training, and specialist physician training. He hoped that in the future, the two universities would further develop cooperation in broader fields and at higher levels, infusing strong impetus into the friendly relations between the two institutions and contributing more energy to educational cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and the United States.

The delegation holds working meetings with relevant departments and personnel at the University of Chicago.

Organized and accompanied by Renslow Sherer, a medical professor at the University of Chicago and the American director of the medical education reform project, the delegation visited the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago. They met with Vineet Arora, the dean of Medical Education, to gain a detailed understanding of the ongoing medical education reform initiative, known as the ‘Phoenix Plan’, and engaged in in-depth discussions on medical education reform exchanges. They also met with Anu Hazra, the program director for the Infectious Disease Research Training Program at the University of Chicago, to discuss the progress and future plans for training specialist physicians in infectious diseases. Separate meetings were held with various individuals, including Wu Dan, the dean of WHU’s Undergraduate College, and Zhang Chen, WHU’s deputy director of the Office of International Affairs, who met with Melina Hale, the dean of the Undergraduate School at the University of Chicago. They delved into collaborative matters concerning data intelligence education, general education, and short-term student exchanges. Agreements were reached on collaborative initiatives, including the exchange program for our undergraduate students to visit the University of Chicago. Xu Hua, the executive vice dean of WHU’s School of Medicine, along with Barrett Fromme, the associate dean of the University of Chicago’s Medical School, held a working meeting focused on reaching a consensus on conducting overseas internship training for resident physicians. Nie Jun, the dean of the WHU Economics and Management School, met with Madhav Rajan, the dean of the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, discussing cooperation on EMBA and MBA programs, faculty exchanges, and exploring topics related to joint student training with WHU’s Economics Department.

The WHU delegation meets with the President of Duke University

Members of the WHU delegation attend the Board of Trustees meeting with Duke Kunshan University.

From November 14 to 16, the delegation visited Duke University where the Duke Kunshan University Board of Trustees meeting was held. They met with Vincent Price, the president of Duke University, and Alec Gallimore, the provost. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Duke University's founding. On behalf of Wuhan University, Yuan Yufeng congratulated President Price and extended an invitation for him to visit our university at a suitable time. During the visit, Yuan Yufeng, Wu Dan, and others participated in the Board of Trustees meeting with Duke Kunshan University. They engaged in friendly, in-depth, and productive discussions with Alec Gallimore, the provost of Duke University, Mayor Chen Liyan of Kunshan, and other board members on significant matters concerning the future development of Duke Kunshan University. Yuan Yufeng stated that over the past decade, Duke Kunshan University has evolved from its inception to become an internationally renowned institution, a result of the concerted efforts of multiple parties, showcasing the effectiveness of close collaboration. Currently entering its second decade, Duke Kunshan University faces new opportunities and challenges. Yuan Yufeng believes that through collaborative efforts and proactive measures from all parties, Duke Kunshan University will achieve even greater success in its future development.

VP Yuan's delegation to the United States included representatives from Wuhan University’s Undergraduate College, School of Medicine, Economics and Management School and Office of International Affairs.

Rewritten by Qiu Minhong